Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
On November 15, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a July 31 hazardous ammonia release at the Cuisine Solutions, Inc., food processing facility in Sterling, Virginia. On July 31, anhydrous ammonia was accidentally released at Cuisine Solutions’ facility. At the time of the incident, 286 […]
Beginning October 1, 2018, OSHA launched a regional emphasis program (REP) focused on reducing employee exposure to fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate (FGAN) and agricultural anhydrous ammonium. The REP will be effective in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Recently, we received the following question from a subscriber: What does OSHA say about initial entry into an area with a suspected gas leak of anhydrous ammonia of unknown quantity and the use of an SCBA?
One of the most tedious aspects of an environment, health, and safety (EHS) manager’s job is to keep track of a host of records. Don’t get caught without the necessary records in the event of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspection. One of the first things inspectors will […]
Substitution Is First Choice The EPA and OSHA recently issued a joint “alert” to encourage the use of inherently safer technologies (IST) at chemical facilities. The Chemical Safety Alert: Safer Technology and Alternativesis intended to lay the groundwork for a future guidance document by introducing safer technology concepts and general approaches. According to the Alert, […]
Anhydrous ammonia is typically used in refrigeration systems in a number of industries, including: Cold storage warehouses and ice plants, Meat, poultry, or fish processing centers, Dairy and ice cream plants, Wineries and breweries, Fruit/vegetable juice and soft drink processing facilities, and Petrochemical facilities. Tips for Installing Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigerant Systems Install self-closing valves or […]
BMPs for Storing Anhydrous Ammonia Good Housekeeping Maintain good housekeeping practices. Ensure good housekeeping procedures are followed in the compressor/recycle rooms and in the immediate vicinity of the evaporators. Accumulated supplies, equipment, and debris delay detection of equipment damage or ammonia leaks. Maintain complete and accurate piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) of the ammonia refrigeration […]
Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia gas—the anhydrous part means “without water.” It is colorless, but has a very pungent smell. It can be irritating at lower levels, but very damaging at higher levels. Exposure to anhydrous ammonia between 5 and 50 parts per million (ppm) can cause headaches, loss of the sense of smell, nausea, and […]
